BAE Systems FalconWorks

FalconWorks^® is the centre for advanced and agile research and technology development in the Air Sector at BAE Systems. Delivering a long term customer-centric approach to R&D investments; horizon scanning to identify new capabilities and innovation initiatives that focus on what comes after next whilst also providing the capabilities our customers need today to maintain competitive advantage.

A key area of focus within FalconWorks^® is accelerating efforts to develop a family of uncrewed platforms to address a wide range of capability requirements for use with both civilian and military customers.

T-Series Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS)

Malloy T-150 Heavy Lift UAS

Designed by Malloy Aeronautics, the T-150 is a multi-role, all-electric Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) recognised and operated by militaries across the globe as a leading logistics drone capable of transporting 68kg of payload, in all weather conditions. With a removable battery, the T-150 is mission ready and can increase operational efficiency compared to conventional logistics solutions. Capable of delivering time sensitive and high value cargo, this UAS has been designed for the toughest military environments, demonstrated operationally in the arctic circle, desert and at sea.

UAS logistics and re-supply missions

The T-Series is capable of conducting a range of logistics and re-supply missions across multiple domains in daytime or nighttime conditions. It provides operators with a reduction in the cost per flying hour and servicing over traditional crewed rotary wing craft. Furthermore, the ability for uncrewed operation in both land and maritime domains reduces the dangers of flying crewed aircraft in contested airspace or in hazardous environments such as in high sea states or in mountainous regions.

Due to the lower cost compared to larger rotary wing craft, the T-Series can be equipped to smaller military formations, facilitating greater mission flexibility. Its simple design with only limited moving parts, also reduces maintenance requirements, lowering the personnel footprint on operations.

With autonomous capabilities, the T-Series can support automated logistics and re-supply missions with minimum personnel and maximum capacity. The T-Series is designed to be easily reconfigured with different payloads, enabling it to be readily adapted to support different mission types.

Counter UAS Capability

The launch of munitions upgraded with BAE Systems’ APKWS® laser-guidance kit from a TRV-150, a modified version of the BAE Systems’ Malloy T-150, marks the first air to air engagement of an APKWS guidance kit from a UAS, building on its decades-long presence on combat aircraft including the F-16, F-18 and Apache helicopter.

The successful trials demonstrate the multi-role capability of the platform and are a significant boost to showcasing how advancements in drone technologies can be harnessed to offer militaries highly effective and affordable tactical options to tackle both emerging UAS threats and more traditional targets.

The successful integration on display during the trials highlights the possibility of providing operators with a unique solution for engaging targets at greater range than ground-launched solutions, using a system that can easily be deployed to the front line.

Malloy T-150 Ready for Front Line Operations

Malloy Aeronautics’ T-150 UAS is now ready for front-line operations with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, enhancing frontline logistics across diverse and challenging environments.

Over two years of joint development and testing with the UK Armed Forces have demonstrated the T-150’s ability to deliver ammunition, equipment, rations, and medical supplies directly to Royal Marines Commandos in extreme and hard-to-access terrain. Testing included exercises from Arctic deployments to operations in the Indian Ocean, carried out with 700X Naval Air Squadron and the Commando Logistic Regiment.

UK Carrier Strike Group Ship-to-Ship Supply

In a historic first, the Royal Navy made a delivery of supplies between warships using a British-made drone during its major 2025 Indo-Pacific mission. The Malloy T-150 is currently undergoing operational evaluation with the UK Carrier Strike Group in the Indo-Pacific, recently delivering supplies from aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to destroyer HMS Dauntless in an historic first.

The T-150 was flown autonomously during take-off and sorties for just over a mile and was subsequently controlled by crews on Dauntless to guide it onto the ship’s flight deck and make a safe landing. The aim of the trial is to provide a cheap and efficient alternative to using helicopters or boat transfer to make deliveries and free them up to focus on operational tasks.

Koios

Koios is a medium-sized, S2 Class, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platform, offering strategic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities with a tactical footprint. Koios is payload agnostic and is operationally proven in both civil and defence markets worldwide.

Koios features a 4m wingspan, a payload of 7kg (including fuel) and a Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW) of 35 kg. Koios is fully runway independent and will take off and land vertically using 8 brushless electric motors for redundancy, providing operational flexibility in remote locations.

The platform can be operated by a crew of 2 personnel, which disassembles for storage in two packing boxes that allow for ease of transport. The two operators can unpack and assemble Koios, conduct pre-flight checks and launch in under 10 minutes.

More information: Koios VTOL platform

Fregata

Fregata is a CTOL UAS with a 4m wingspan, a payload of 12kg (including fuel) and an MTOW of 35kg that can be launched using a pneumatic catapult or on top of a vehicle. Fregata is tailored to suit long range missions where flight endurance and enhanced payload capacity is a priority with an extended endurance of 8-12 hours and a data link range of up to 190 km.

The platform is launched from a catapult by a team of three operators including a pilot, a launch commander, and an individual to load and monitor the catapult. The platform can be easily manoeuvred by two people, packed in lightweight carry cases and transported by a medium wheelbase van or truck.

More information: Fregata CTOL UAS platform

PHASA-35^®

PHASA-35® is a novel, ultra-light weight, solar-electric High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) UAS which provides an alternative to conventional sensing and communications systems. Pushing the boundaries of aviation technology, PHASA-35 successfully completed stratospheric flight trials in 2023 and again in 2024, exceeding an altitude of 66,000ft, each time before landing safely.

Using a range of world-leading technologies including advanced composites, energy management and solar electric cells, photo-voltaic arrays are used to provide energy during the day which is stored in rechargeable cells to maintain flight overnight.

PHASA-35^® is designed to provide a persistent, stable platform for monitoring, surveillance, communications and security applications. When connected to other technologies and assets, it will provide both military and commercial customers with capabilities that are not currently available from existing air and space platforms. It also has the potential to be used in the delivery of communications networks including 5G, as well as provide other services, such as disaster relief and border protection, at a fraction of the cost of satellites.

More information: PHASA-35^® High Altitude Pseudo Satellite UAS